This year has been another one that a lot of us would like to put in the bin but there is no doubt some incredible music has come out of that. Here I have shortlisted my personal Top 50 songs of the year for you to enjoy!
Every year it is so difficult to pick just 50 songs from all the phenomenal music being released and believe me, there were so many more songs and artists that I love that deserve to be on this list. This is a playlist of songs that I’ve connected with on lots of different levels and for different reasons which I have attempted to explain as best I can! Some you may agree with and some you may not, but that’s the beautiful thing about music.
I really hope that you can connect to some of these songs too, and/or discover your new favourite artist/band. That’s what we are all about here at She Makes Music. Happy New Year and we’ll see you in 2023! – Helen Evans, Founder/Editor
Leikeli47 – ‘Chitty Bang’
Leikeli47, the highly underrated Brooklyn rapper, debuted her brand-new song, ‘Chitty Bang,’ at the beginning of 2022. On the Michael Barney-produced track, Leikeli47 returns with a bang, reminding us of her unmatched lyrical prowess over the clatter of drums, the thud of bass, and a looped vocal sample. One of the first songs to truly grab my attention this year was ‘Chitty Bang,’ which actually ended up becoming my most-played song, per Spotify Wrapped.
Stand Atlantic feat. Royal and the Serpent – ‘pity party’
Since Royal and the Serpent has had such success this year and all of her tracks are fantastic, I was unable to pick just one and instead chose this sick collab. In contrast to the propaganda that has been all too prevalent in the alt world for years, Stand Atlantic’s Bonnie Fraser makes it clear that she has no interest in falling victim to another person’s chokehold or enabling someone else’s toxic behaviour. ‘pity party’ may sound angry, but it also contains a lot of fun, as is regular protocol for Stand Atlantic. Its pop-punk done the correct way: loud, bright, and uncompromising. It’s a massive, sing-along anthem.
Kyla La Grange – ‘Nurture’
“‘Nurture’ is the most personal song I’ve ever written, a storybook of relationships, from childhood to adulthood,” explained underrated artist Kyla La Grange of her heartbreaking release this year. “I nearly didn’t record it because it made me cry too much, and I was scared to release it because it feels so raw and exposing, but something about the writing of it felt very necessary for me, like it was a way of paying tribute to certain things and then closing a door on them, putting them to bed.” Her emotions are clearly and eloquently articulated in this song. I want to cry every time I listen to it. A song that stirs up such intense emotions simply had to be on this list.
Griff x Sigrid – ‘Head On Fire’
Well, we all know how talented Griff and Sigrid are and this collaboration is flawless (apart from when they were of course joined by King Princess and MØ on the remix). This is a strong contender for best song of the year overall in my opinion. No matter how many times you hear it, you never get tired of it. In the empowering anthem, Griff and Sigrid can’t get this person out of their head. So intense are their feelings for them, it’s like their heads are on fire. “It’s about that feeling when you meet someone who just flips everything upside down,” Sigrid explained, “and you can’t focus on anything else but that person.”
carolesdaughter – ‘Target Practice’
The song ‘Target Practice’ by carolesdaughter is a rallying cry for outcasts everywhere. Late 1990s/early 2000s movies and TV programmes such as Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Veronica Mars served as major influences for the song’s music video. ‘Target Practice’ functions as a sort of mini-biopic for carolesdaughter. The artist eventually dropped out of high school after attending five different ones where she experienced bullying and exclusion. She began using drugs at about the same time and frequented rehab. In a press release, she detailed how this period of her life altered her. “The last time I went to rehab, I was there for six months, and I had a guitar,” she says. “I wrote prolifically all the time. It clicked, ‘This is what I was meant to do.’ I told myself I would record and release music when I got home.” caroledaughters transformed the pain of her high school years into tenacious art, and we are so grateful for that.
Skunk Anansie – ‘Piggy’
Skunk Anansie has, for the most part, always been a remarkably underappreciated band. They don’t currently put out a lot of new music, but what they have shared over the years has been furious and utterly fresh. Enter ‘Piggy’. “If there’s one thing we’ve all learned over the past couple of years is that we cannot depend upon our governments to look after us,” says Skin. “They seem to be unable to learn from the past and incapable of securing a decent future. This song was written in a moment of rage combined with bitter disillusionment. Brexit then a complete mis-handling of COVID, how the hell did we get to this?” Indeed, Skin. Indeed.
Charli XCX feat Rina Sawayama – ‘Beg For You’
Anyone who has followed SMM for a while will be aware that if the queen of future-pop, Charli XCX, has released music, one of her songs is probably going to be in our Top 50. This collab is a dream and a long time coming. Having the post chorus interpolate Swedish singer September’s 2006 dance-floor filler ‘Cry For You’ is just pure genius. ‘Beg For You’ is a stone-cold banger and undoubtedly one of Charli’s career highlights.
Rachel Jean Harris – ‘Battledress’
Rachael Jean Harris, a musician from Liverpool, exudes melodic charm throughout her innovative equine-related track titled ‘Battledress.’ With its odd time signature, much of the first half displays a funky, rock-forward appeal. The final minutes of the song take the listener on a thrilling, psychedelic voyage with shimmering keys and eerie rhythmic bustling. A powerful atmospheric spell is cast throughout the final minute by the ethereal synth arps and luscious keys. The song started out as a tribute to Harris’ late grandmother before turning into a free-spirited anthem. The most overlooked song on this list this year is undoubtedly ‘Battledress.’ Don’t sleep on Rachel Jean Harris!
Panic Shack – ‘Mannequin Man’
The song ‘Mannequin Man’ by Welsh band Panic Shack is just under three minutes of pure joyous energy. The song has a campy 80s vibe in every aspect, including the music and aesthetic. A straightforward drum rhythm is combined with a thundering bass line and strings that you can’t help but get stuck in your head. The future looks very bright for Panic Shack!
mxmtoon – ‘mona lisa’
I adored this song the moment I first heard it and I still do to this day and I think I always will. Perfect for a film soundtrack, the bright, catchy, summer-breezy single ‘mona lisa’ by bedroom pop singer-songwriter mxmtoon, is a love song playing on the idea of being muse – inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous painting. As she puts it: “As someone who usually writes songs about other people, one of my ongoing questions is ‘will anyone ever write songs about me?’”. The irony here is the play between being a mystery figure like Mona Lisa, but also being prominently in the public domain, at least online.
Caroline Polacheck – ‘Billions’
I feel incredibly energised by Caroline Polacheck’s music. I could have chosen any of the songs she released this year for this list, but I chose ‘Billions’ because it is so captivating and showcases Caroline’s incredible vocal range. Gasps of satisfaction after each line in the song, and sudden switches in her vocal register from enamoured to belligerent, add a touch of musical theater. Elsewhere, electronics by Danny L. Harle create an otherworldly ambience. ‘Billions’ has a regal, almost ancient (and decadent) vibe thanks to a fervent rhythm and some Eastern-influenced percussion. The Trinity Boys & Girls Choir of London sings a powerful chorus of “I’ve never felt so close to you” as the song comes to a close. It is beautiful but unsettlingly hypnotic, eerily resembling cult members’ chants. It truly is a masterpiece.
LØLØ x Maggie Lindemann – ‘debbie downer’
2022 has very much been the year of the pop punk revival and LA-via-Toronto rising star LØLØ has been breathing new life into the scene. She surpasses expectations on her track, ‘debbie downer,’ while subversively destroying the manic pixie dream girl cliché. With the help of alt-pop darling Maggie Lindemann and some emo cheerleaders, the duo unites the outcasts and the weird on this anthemic track. The cheer chant from the infamous 2000s film Bring It On!, “It’s cold in here,” is transformed by LØLØ into an addictive hook about being the odd girl out. LØLØ’s raspy and evocative vocals and Lindemann’s pop diva belt are equally enjoyable when the cheeky line “brr it’s cold in here / all dark everything / sad and weird” is delivered. LØLØ combines crunchy, catchy guitar riffs and powerful drum beats with grungy, caustic, and inherently modern lyricism, sure to evoke nostalgia in early aughts pop-punk lovers.
Pinch Points – ‘Am I Okay?’
This song should be heard by everyone. The lyrics are incredibly vital and reassuring. ‘AM I OKAY?’, by Melbourne post-punk band PINCH POINTS is a plea to care for one’s own mental health. The band repeatedly begs the listener to “just take a breath / It’s good to ask yourself ‘Am I okay?'” throughout the song. The vocals are raw and authentic, delivered precariously and shakily, the way four young people in the midst of an uncertain global time should sound. “Look after yourself for a change! / I know the world is fucking crap / But you didn’t cause that / So give yourself a hug,” is the wise counsel on offer. We hear ya, PINCH POINTS. We hear ya.
Jewels Gold – ‘Fond Memories’
We were introduced to Jewels Gold earlier this year when she released her debut EP which was recorded live in one take. Jewels’ voice is incredible and I think she’s a fantastic songwriter. With the support of a few piano notes, played by herself, Jewels makes a strong vocal statement with a raw and unpolished tone on ‘Fond Memories’. Her ability to manipulate different melodies and swing between low and high notes with ease is not only bold but also impressive. You can feel that she’s singing from the heart. She even explains it saying: “I’m choosing to share my songs in their most natural form, and that’s exactly what this collection is. I’m inviting everyone to be a part of the songs as they evolve. I want to bring every listener on the journey from live acoustic performances to produced anthems.” We’re excited to see what she does next.
Abigail Lapell – ‘Ships’
There aren’t many folk songs in our top 50, but this one is simply impossible to resist—and not only because of the fabulous sax solo. The song ‘Ships’ by Toronto songwriter Abigail Lapell repeatedly crashes on top of itself with a rhythmic, woozy guitar riff and hazy, maritime imagery. ‘Ships’ explores the insatiable, contradictory impulses that drive doomed love and other addictions, or as Lapell puts it, “Leaving versus staying, quitting versus relapsing-familiar shores and uncharted waters.” The idea of opposites attracting-or repelling is conveyed in the song’s arrangement, too. What begins as a mellow indie rock head-nodder-with drums, bass, and guitars-starts to sneak in a horn or two, a step on the overdrive pedal, and layers of vocal harmonies before climaxing with that wild sax solo only matched in energy by Lapell’s reactive vocals.
Wet Leg – ‘Angelica’
One of the best debut albums in recent memory is without a doubt Wet Leg’s self-titled LP. It makes me so happy to see how successful Wet Leg have been this year. They really went from 0-100 in the blink of an eye. A fun, uptempo indie romp, the song ‘Angelica’ packs big distorted guitars, psychedelic synths and of course Rhian Teasdale’s compelling, striking vocals that contend with the dichotomy of parties and regrets. “It’s laced with disenchantment,” Rhian says. “Even though the chorus is ‘good times, all the time’. That’s just impossible, isn’t it?”
MOTHICA – ‘SENSITIVE’
Criminally overlooked Los Angeles-based alt-pop singer-songwriter MOTHICA’s powerful single ‘SENSITIVE’ is an honest and vulnerable anthem for introverts everywhere. “I wanted to make the most upbeat and aggressive song about being an introvert,” says MOTHICA of the track. “Because that’s how it feels to me when I have trouble expressing my emotions, sometimes it comes out as anger and frustration of being misunderstood. So we combined a metal guitar with a driving dance bass to illustrate this emotion just in time for Pisces season.” Put your hand up if you relate!
MUNA – ‘Anything But Me’
“‘Anything But Me’ is a song about leaving a partnership simply because it doesn’t feel right,” explain MUNA of this years huge hit. “It’s about trusting yourself and your instincts enough to walk away from someone while you still have love for each other and before it gets too bad.” They added: “The song embodies the lightness and a playfulness that floods in when you realise that there’s no lock on the door, no one’s holding you back – you can untie the knot and skip into the sunset whenever you’re ready.” There really isn’t any other way to phrase it. MUNA are just so bloody good.
Nova Twins – ‘Cleopatra’
With their new record Supernova, Nova Twins have achieved unfathomable heights this year, which is both inspiring and empowering to see. Their song ‘Cleopatra,’ from that album, is one of our favourites. “’Cleopatra’ was written off the back of the Black Lives Matter protests,” explains guitarist / vocalist Amy Love. “Attending them made us feel powerful as two mixed-race women in an era where people were suddenly waking up to anti-racists conversations.” As a band, they continue: “It’s about celebrating who we are and being proud of where we come from. We hope this song encourages people from all walks of life to act and feel the same way too.” Its a face-melter for sure.
Lauran Hibberd feat DJ Lethal- ‘Still Running (5K)’
Lauran Hibberd’s brand of slacker pop is so infectious. There isn’t a single song of hers that i’ve disliked since she burst onto the scene 5 years ago. ‘Still Running (5K)’ featuring DJ Lethal is the perfect track to dance around to while thinking of your existential crisis. Grungy guitar, powerhouse drums, and hints of hip-hop all mixed in; along with a great, distinctive voice – this song has 90s written all over it (in the best way). This song is all about your main character moment, so enjoy the guitar and don’t worry if “all your friends are sipping Champagne with their fiancé”, you’ll be just fine.
Greta Isaac – ‘PAYRI$E’
With its outrageous, gut-punching synth-pop melody kicking off the striking single, Greta Isaac’s ‘PAYRI$E’ is a culmination of her musical styles. ‘PAYRI$E’ is a pop, rock, and electronic hybrid that moves at a rapid pace and is unapologetically honest in its delivery. “I think for a lot of my life I’ve made myself smaller in order to accommodate other people. Even when I’ve intentionally made myself bigger, funnier, prettier, it’s been to entertain or perform or to try and facilitate the perfect conditions for how I’m experienced by other people,” says Greta, who wrote the single with Martin Luke Brown and Nova Blu with the intention of creating something intense and daring as the result. “I tend to take on a bit of a character when I write, but I wanted to use the process of writing ‘PAYRI$E’ as a way to take up some space for myself and demand more from my life and from my relationships.” Greta Isaac is going to be huuuge. Watch this space.
Lizzo – ‘About Damn Time’
I can’t tell you how happy I am that Lizzo is now such an icon. It was a long time coming but we got there. Talking about ‘About Damn Time’ in an interview with Zane Lowe, Lizzo said: “’About Damn Time’ can lead into so many conversations. It’s about damn time I feel better, it’s about damn time we get out this pandemic. It’s about damn time we to get the first black female Supreme Court Justice. There’s so many things. It’s about damn time we popped the champagne. It’s about damn time the tequila got here.” Ain’t no truer words been spoken.
Tove Lo – ‘No Ones Dies From Love’
While Tove Lo is a relatively huge artist already, she deserves to be even more successful. Her songwriting is second to none. I absolutely love her new album Dirt Femme and was so excited for it when she was rolling out the singles. A total cry on the dancefloor anthem, ‘No One Dies From Love’ is a disco-synthpop gem full of 80’s synths and romantic melodrama. “When you’re with someone for a long time and it ends all of all sudden, it’s like a part of you has died. This person is now a stranger to you. All of the memories are tainted. For the first part of the breakup, you believe you’re not supposed to feel good about anything you had together. What I believe I do best is ‘heartbreak you can dance to.’ The song is that,” Tove explains.
Maisie Peters – ‘Cate’s Brother’
‘Cate’s Brother’ by the incomparable Maisie Peters is just so much fun. Maisie is one of the best UK artists right now and I believe she’ll only continue to grow in popularity. I loved reading the story behind this single – it’s like a full-fledged movie condensed into a three minute song and it’s genius. Maisie is an incredible songwriter and performer, full of wit and sass. She deserves all the success coming her way.
Liv Charette – ‘Game Over’
Pop singer Liv Charette delivers an epic victory with her song ‘Game Over,’ which we can all surely applaud. ‘Game Over’ is an energetic throwback that blends contemporary pop music with a strong vocal performance from Charette, as well as an undeniable swagger and vintage Midway Arcade aesthetic. “I’ve been a huge video game fan forever and believe that sometimes relationships are just like those games you grew up playing,” Liv Charette says. “Once the person you’re with runs out of lives (or chances), it’s time to say ‘game over.’”
Number One Popstar – ‘Dance Away the Pain’
Number One Popstar doesn’t try to hide her intentions, even in her moniker. A mix of winking satire and loving tribute, the pop project led by singer and comedian Kate Jean Hollowell is both a quintessential chart-topping indie pop idol and a witty, irreverent send up of the genre. Having been likened to the Andy Kaufman of pop music, Number One Popstar provides the much-needed dose of humour that we weren’t even aware we were missing. In the glossy ’80s synth-filled song ‘Dance Away the Pain’, Hollowell uses her distinctive brand of pop as an escape, singing the catchy yet melancholy line, “My depression makes me go insane/I just want to dance away the pain.”
Moira & Claire – ‘Delaney’s Dad’
Earlier this year, Nova-Scotian siblings and indie-folk duo Moira & Claire shared their very “in the heat of the moment” inspired tune ‘Delaney’s Dad’ that many of us can relate to. The hilarious and scathing single sees the negativity of modern political discourse through the eyes of an angry and frustrated generation finding themselves at odds with the world they live in, facing old challenges in new contexts and occasionally bucking against them.
Rina Sawayama – ‘This Hell’
Rina Sawayama has been on fire this year and the country inflected ‘This Hell’ has certainly been a highlight. The country pop influence on ‘This Hell’ is most noticeable at the song’s start, which includes a neighing horse and the cheeky phrase “let’s go girls” in homage to Shania Twain. She then fans these flames into a turbocharged pop banger complete with a glam, unabashedly outrageous hair metal riff. Not one to pass up a good pop culture reference, Sawayama quotes Paris Hilton’s famous catchphrase and chastises the paparazzi for their cruelty towards Britney Spears, Whitney Houston, and Princess Diana. “Got my invitation to eternal damnation,” she chants. “Get in line, pass the wine, bitch.” With Rina Sawayama, hell is the hottest party in town.
Madelline – ‘Participation Trophies’
‘Participation Trophies’ is written in the straightforward first person relatable voice that has long dominated young modern pop, but it significantly deviates from the model by being a self-deprecating song about being a loser rather than being written from the perspective of a wronged person. Rising star Madelline’s vocal delivery is deadpan even in the more uplifting parts of the song which nudge the sentiment towards shrugging self-acceptance. The production is crisp and glossy enough to make it all sound like a sunny day, but the structure of the song gently rebels against its own drive towards anthemic rock.
Noga Erez – ‘Nails’
Noga Erez deserves more recognition! No one sounds like Noga. I mean, a song referencing ‘NAILS’? Just genius. The fiery song opens with a burst of brass and then is boiled down to sastisfying nail taps and a jolting melody. “I’ll bump a bitch / Flesh pieces in my nails,” she repeats. She revealed the song is “about jealousy, and how being jealous of people, in this particular case another woman, makes you idealize that person in a very weird and dark way.”
Sky Ferreira – ‘Don’t Forget’
Sky Ferreira gets so much flack for not releasing more music but I don’t mind waiting for new songs if they’re all going to be this good. Her first new song in three years after 2019’s ‘Downhill Lullaby,’ ‘Don’t Forget’ plays to the pop star’s strengths: pairing her strong, slightly-sneered vocals with slick ’80s rock, fit with a programmed drum beat that sounds like it could break through walls. On ‘Don’t Forget,’ just as she did on ‘I Blame Myself,’ she plays her part as pop rebel once again, breaking the fourth wall: “I don’t need to deceive you, I’m the real bad girl,” she sings. Out of the shadows, if even for a moment, Ferreira’s still got it.
ena mori – ‘SOS’
ena mori is bound to get bigger in the coming years. Her new album DON’T BLAME THE WILD ONE! is absolutely chock full of synth pop bangers. The Manila based artist flirts with pop’s left-field edge on the single ‘SOS’. A concise, finessed pop song, ‘SOS’ is prompted by the boundless energy of youth. She comment: “I wanted to write a song dedicated to my friends and the youth. As the world revolves constantly, we tend to forget what it is that we truly want in our lives, what is important. SOS is about standing up for what you care about and what you believe in. I’d like to inspire every person who struggles to find their life’s passion. Since ‘SOS’ came from a post-war 60s theme, Tim (producer) and I wanted to recreate the quirky-ness and the sarcasm through the production. With an upbeat tempo and a percussive bass, we wanted to make a song that you could do “the swim” with.”
King Princess – ‘Too Bad’
King Princess keeps churning out the hits. ‘Too Bad’, one of our favourite songs from her new album Hold On Baby, channels King Princess’ dreamy pop sound, with a bit of a grittier edge to it. The twangy, Western-tinged attitude of the track sees Mikaela Straus croon out “my God is it hard to be loved.” Yet, without skipping a beat, Straus takes a moment to add – “but that’s life.” The underpinning acoustic guitar on ‘Too Bad’ holding together a big, bold chorus feels like a perfect meeting of all of King Princess’ old work and her new confidence.
Sophie Ellis Bextor – ‘Hypnotized’
Sophie Ellis-Bextor has always been a class act and ‘Hypnotized’ is a brilliant comeback single. “The best way I can describe it is it’s a little bit like ABBA on crack,” she says. And we wholeheartedly agree! It’s the epitome of “wonky pop”, full of catchy melodies with a subtly sinister undertone. Sophie delivers the goods above a synth-pop pulse, complete with her trademark deadpan delivery and unmistakable enunciation: “You always knew how to creep into my head / Always finding ways to sleep in my bed / You have always kept me hypnoti-zed,” she declares. ‘Hypnotized’ sees Sophie return to her original dance roots, but in her distinctive alternate style with the avant-pop hit.
Jessie Ware – ‘Free Yourself’
Jessie Ware, the disco queen of the 21st century. Can this stylish superstar do no wrong? A tremendously uplifting piece of disco-inspired pop, Jessie is at her finest with the soaring vocal. The delectable track ‘Free Yourself’ is a declaration of independence and is ideal for blasting loudly on summer mornings. Although the liberation in ‘Free Yourself’ may sound somewhat familiar, it is nonetheless essential. Ware is following in the footsteps of Donna Summer and Gloria Gaynor, two trailblazing performers who inspired fans with their party music. Ware seeks that catharsis while promoting self-love over a sweeping, vintage disco production from Stuart Price, complete with incisive keyboard chords and resonant electronic percussion. “You are a name, not a number” she vamps on the bridge “Extraordinary colours / Don’t you hide under cover, baby.” When the song’s catchy hook kicks in, Ware fully commits to the message of the song—to do what feels right, especially if someone has put an insurmountable obstacle in your path.
Carol Ades – ‘Sadtown USA’
Carol Ades’ diaristic approach to songwriting is a breath of fresh air, and her vulnerable lyricism proves her a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. Even if you’re not yet familiar with her name, you’ve undoubtedly heard her work. Ades boasts a multitude of songwriting credits for mega superstars like Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, and more. ‘Sadtown USA’ sends shivers down my spine every time I hear it. Carol’s voice, the chord changes, the lyrics – its simply magic. The main strength of ‘Sadtown USA’ lies in its simplicity. It begins with four bars of acoustic guitar and sweet, high-pitched humming to set the tone of the song. From there, Ades sings her sorrowful tale of the end of a relationship and the painfully relatable experience of how she “confused a moment with forever.”
Bishop Briggs – ‘Revolution’
How can you not love Bishop Briggs? Her music is so anthemic and empowering. She sings with so much conviction and emotion. ‘Revolution,’ a ruthlessly honest and powerful reclamation, explores how suffering and challenging times in life may strengthen a person. In recent months, Bishop Briggs has been open about the difficulties and traumas she has gone through. As she battles her own demons in a world that frequently appears hopeless, this song has served as a catharsis for the artist and has assisted her in discovering her purpose and destiny.A lot of the lyrics in this track are about fighting back and standing up for what you believe in however Briggs also emphasizes the importance of self-healing. She says that in order to achieve real change, you must not only antagonize but also work on yourself. Bishop Briggs’ music has always echoed themes of strength and resilience but none more so than this release. Everything about the track makes you want to scream and shout out against oppression but at the same time also encourages you to heal from your own wounds and grow.
Delilah Bon – ‘Dead Men Don’t Rape’
The most impactful and significant song we heard following the oveturning of Roe vs Wade earlier this year was ‘Dead Man Don’t Rape.’ Like countless others throughout the world, Delilah Bon (the alter ego of Lauren Tate from Hands Off Gretel) is outraged. Delilah speaks out with eloquence and wrath while most of us recoil in silence at the injustice and the cruelty. The song ‘Dead Men Don’t Rape,’ which is based on the strong principles of female empowerment, combines hip-hop, punk, and nu-metal with a vicious, screamed rap over razor-wire guitar riffs. Bon yells, grabbing everyone’s attention with the words “My body is mine / Don’t belong to the government.” You can almost taste the hurt, the betrayal, the anger. ‘Dead Men Don’t Rape’ criticises a system that is failing to protect victims of abuse. With a rise both in violence towards women and worldwide femicide, Delilah is prepared to be a voice for those that do not have one. Big things happening for Delilah Bon at the moment. You’re going to be seeing a lot more of her, I guarantee it.
Broken Baby – ‘Make Manager’
LA punks Broken Baby are another incredibly underappreciated band. The drum-pounding rager ‘Make Manager’ is fronted by vocalist Amber Bollinger and supported by Alex Dezen’s ferocious guitar playing. It describes the ways men abuse their power in a way that is perfectly articulated. Broken Baby mince no words when expressing how fed up they are with the bullshit from presidents and senators to lead singers in bands. Bollinger’s lightning-rod vocals race through her gauntlet of rage over grinding riffs and deafening sonics.
Weyes Blood – ‘It’s Not Just Me, It’s Everybody’
I never really appreciated Weyes Blood’s talent until I heard this song and her new album. It’s breathtakingly beautiful and cinematic. I love her retro sounding voice and how the music is taken back to basics. Over a soft bed of piano and percussion, Natalie Mering makes a blunt observation about the human condition. “We’ve all become strangers/Even to ourselves,” she sings on ‘It’s Not Just Me, It’s Everybody.’ As the song opens, Mering is feeling lonely at a party: “Oh, it’s been so long since I’ve felt really known,” she confesses. As Mering repeats the title refrain, the song swells with orchestral strings and effervescent harp from Mary Lattimore. Her claim that she is not the only one going through hardship echoes with her own reminder that “it’s all a part of the same thing”: Although being kind to one another won’t change the way the world is right now, it can at least make each day a little bit more bearable.
Jessica Winter – ‘Choreograph’
Jessica Winter is one of the best new songwriters around right now. And just listen to that voice! I love how this song just builds and builds into a dramatic crescendo. ‘Choreograph’ purposefully rips Jessica away from the past, a resolute attempt to face the future. Daring and open-minded, ‘Choreograph’ was “born out of frustration, and from the desire to fully experience life and love in the present moment.” It comes accompanied by an equally cinematic and spectacular video which you should definitely check out!
The Hot Damn! – ‘Live Laugh Love’
This is the song that we’ve all needed these last few years. UK four-piece pop rockers The Hot Damn! are bringing some vibrancy along with witty lyrics, punchy riffs and fierce harmonies with the sugar-infused power pop anthem ‘Live Laugh Laugh’. The track is described by the band as “a giant dose of a good time, cheesy rock, guaranteed to put a smile on your face.” It has a wide range of appeal that screams positivity and just brightens up the day of anyone who hears it. The band’s singer Gill Montgomery comments: “It’s a parody of those motivational signs which were very popular in kitchens in the late noughties. There’s a lot of doom and gloom in the news but we want to spread a little cheer. Shake off the negative and just enjoy whatever it may be! Life! Love? New music”.
Kailee Morgue – ‘Queen Bitch’
Alternative-pop artist, Kailee Morgue’s sassy single ‘Queen Bitch’ draws fans into a world of self-certainty. The track can be found on her debut album, Girl Next Door which is also fabulous. Kailee said of the track: “I wrote ‘Queen Bitch’ after listening to ‘Celebrity Skin’ by Hole front to back and I just wanted to present this cocky attitude that comes from a place of insecurity. Knowing that the industry is built to capitalize on the exploitation of young women. What might seem like a message of self praise is more just making fun of myself and over compensating.”
Sam Smith feat Kim Petras – ‘Unholy’
I mean, what a song. I knew it would be amazing the moment the pair announced it. It does not disappoint. And the video! Wow. Kim Petras is on the way to being a huge global star next year after this collab has literally blasted her into the stratosphere which is so rightly deserved. Sam Smith has became the first-ever openly non-binary solo artist to achieve the top spot on the Billboard chart, while Petras became the first openly transgender solo artist to do so. ‘Unholy’ is described as an “ambitious departure” for Smith, a “menacing sound collage with instant club appeal.” And to any fans of the singer’s previous work, it will immediately become clear just how accurate that description is in the opening bars of the track. Petras comes in as a featured singer on the second verse, balancing Smith’s bold vocals with her own recognizable edgy pop sound as she takes on the role of the other woman in the story Smith tells about a husband cheating on his wife. “It’s time for my villain era, I think,” Smith told ET in regards to the song. “Time to get sexy.” We are totally here for it!
Paramore – ‘This Is Why’
Paramore’s comeback single, ‘This Is Why,’ is insanely catchy and relatable. I had this in my head for weeks and could not stop singing it. Although I’m not a fan of Paramore’s earlier music, their more current work is unquestionably superb. Building on the funky pop of 2017’s After Laughter while drawing inspiration from post-punk bands Talking Heads and Gang of Four, ‘This Is Why’ trades in the brilliant gloss of its predecessor for something murkier and somewhat menacing. “This is why I don’t leave the house,” Williams chants on the spiky chorus, sharing cryptic frustrations with the world beyond her front door. “You say the coast is clear/But you won’t catch me out.” Marimbas add suspense at the bridge, and the song creeps forward, ultimately never pulling itself out of its paranoid spiral.
Taylor Swift – ‘Anti Hero’
Without one of Taylor Swift’s stunning new songs, our Top 50 would be incomplete. But what more can I add to what has already been written about ‘Anti-Hero’? Although I’ve never been much of a Swiftie, I have the utmost respect for her as an artist and think that she writes some extremely catchy songs. This is also true of ‘Anti Hero.’ I adore the song’s overall dreamy quality.
Dream Wife – ‘Leech’
You have no idea how thrilled I am that Dream Wife are back. Their new album is coming out next year, and I can’t wait. ‘Leech’ is a passionate, cathartic, and exhilarating comeback song that is an unashamed, ferocious plea for empathy. Self-reflection turns into an unflinching interrogation in ‘Leech,’ which ends with a spoken-word smack across the face to the patriarchy and those who are happy to endorse it. “Just have some fucking empathy,” Rakel Mjöll commands throughout the song, a terse version of allyship 101.
bis – ‘Shopping For Tattoos’
Anyone who knows me and/or is a long time follower of SMM will know that bis are my favourite band of all time and they dropped an absolute banger of a new album this year, Systems Music For Home Defence. Stand out track ‘Shopping For Tattoos’ is probably my favourite. It includes the big traditional bis three part harmony chorus plus a kind of stadium breakdown. The band said on Twitter: “If anything from this record will ever be a ‘hit’, this must be it.” They are such modest, funny, down-to-earth, lovely people and deserve more listeners for sure.
Baby Queen – ‘LAZY’
I adore Baby Queen. She’s another artist that is just consistently awesome. ‘Lazy’ is a slacker anthem fitting for Gen Z youth (although I’m a millenial, I still relate to this song massively!). Over a brash pop-punk groove, Baby Queen luxuriates in her indifference. With swaggering confidence, she sings in the chorus, “I could be the next Scorcese, I could drive a new Mercedes/I could be a winner, baby/But I’m too f__ing lazy.” In a statement on the track, Baby Queen opts to let the music speak for itself since her sentiment is that she’s too f__ing lazy. Genius.
UPSAHL – ‘Monica Lewinsky’
UPSAHL’s pop sound is so unique and she’s such a great songwriter. Named after the White House intern who was demonized after being thrown under the bus by then-President Bill Clinton over an affair, ‘Monica Lewinsky’s lyrics pay tribute to the “stone-cold hot girls” who “made history” by being unapologetic in the face of intense ire, with Upsahl explaining that “on first listen ‘Monica Lewinsky’ feels like a playful song about people who have made a massive impact on pop culture.” “But writing this song was much more than that for me,” as she continued. “In the 90’s and the early 2000’s, women like Monica, Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, and Miley Cyrus were all dragged down by the media and the court of public opinion simply for being human beings and living their lives.” Upsahl added, “They were under a microscopic spotlight, everything they did, whether they were at their highest or their lowest, was picked apart and criticized.” She concluded, “‘Monica Lewinsky’ is my ode to them. Thank you for making history.” And we salute you, UPSAHL!